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Hart's Boardwalk #3
Things We Never Said
Local metalsmith and gift shop owner, Dahlia McGuire, likes her quiet life in Hartwell, Delaware. It’s the perfect place to hide from her family and the tragic events that led to their estrangement. However, when her father, the person she loves most in the world, needs her Dahlia has no choice but to return to Boston to face her ghosts. One of those happens to be her ex-boyfriend’s best friend, Michael Sullivan. The man she was never supposed to fall in love with.
Michael Sullivan has never forgotten Dahlia McGuire. Some might say he’s never gotten over her. For years he lived with the anger of her desertion, and now, newly-divorced, he’s finally ready to move on. That proves impossible when Dahlia returns to Boston and reawakens their explosive connection. Despite everything, Michael wants her back, but Dahlia can’t seem to let go of the tangled emotions of the past. When she flees home to Hartwell, Michael follows, determined to do everything in his power to convince her they belong together.
However, when the unthinkable hits the quiet seaside town, Michael finds himself trying to unravel more than the mystery of Dahlia’s broken heart. It’s time for truths left unsaid to finally be spoken or Michael and Dahlia might find themselves torn apart forever…
Michael Sullivan has never forgotten Dahlia McGuire. Some might say he’s never gotten over her. For years he lived with the anger of her desertion, and now, newly-divorced, he’s finally ready to move on. That proves impossible when Dahlia returns to Boston and reawakens their explosive connection. Despite everything, Michael wants her back, but Dahlia can’t seem to let go of the tangled emotions of the past. When she flees home to Hartwell, Michael follows, determined to do everything in his power to convince her they belong together.
However, when the unthinkable hits the quiet seaside town, Michael finds himself trying to unravel more than the mystery of Dahlia’s broken heart. It’s time for truths left unsaid to finally be spoken or Michael and Dahlia might find themselves torn apart forever…
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2019
About the author
Samantha Young
95 books27.4k followersSamantha is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and a Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee. Samantha has written over 60 books and is published in 31 countries. She writes emotional and angsty romance, often set where she resides—in her beloved home country Scotland. Samantha splits her time between her family, writing and chasing after two very mischievous cavapoos.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 478 reviews
April 29, 2019
4 STARS
Things We Never Said was an swoony and emotional second chance romances with a slight twist. It also had one of the most incredible heroes I've read in a long while. There's just something about Michael Sullivan that made me fall head over heels the second he appears on the pages.
Admittedly, the first two books in this series haven't been my favorite. But there was something so...different about this one. It had a different vibe and energy to it that I found lacking in the other two.
Michael and Dahlia have a right place but wrong time sort of beginning when they first meet. Their chemistry is immediate and downright incendiary. But Dahlia has just settled in a relationship with a man that's good for her and she doesn't want to jeopardize that. But when she finds out that Michael is her boyfriend's best friend, she knows that any potential they may have had will never be. So they settle into a friendship with a side of burning unrequited love on both sides. It becomes clear just how crazy Michael is about her, but youthful mistakes and fate circumstances soon spell the end for any budding romance they may have had.
When life takes a turn once more, Dahlia finds herself back in her home town and facing the circumstances of her decision all those years ago; the biggest one being Michael. But he's no longer the sweet man that she knew in her youth. He's angry, bitter, and hurt. As much as you want to hate Michael for his callous treatment of Dahlia when she first appears back in his life, you just can't. You know that he's harboring a lot of pain but you don't know quite what transpired between the two of them to bring them to this place. That slowly gets trickle fed to the reader chapter by chapter. But when you see this southie boy see the error of his ways and finally pursue Dahlia with a single minded intent to break down all of her walls? Oh my swoon!!!! He's sheer perfection.
I really loved this beautifully emotional romance. The more you learn about Dahlia's past and what sent her running, the more you begin to understand. It takes the majority of the book to fully unravel the truth, and it's devastating at the core of it.
There's also a bit of action and suspense that's thrown in, along with the tease of two secondary characters that I'm desperately waiting on a book for.
Ultimately, this was an incredibly satisfying read that I enjoyed from start to finish and would recommend to any Sam Young fan out there.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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The truth was I must have been sleepwalking through life all this time because whenever Michael appeared, I was suddenly wide awake.
Things We Never Said was an swoony and emotional second chance romances with a slight twist. It also had one of the most incredible heroes I've read in a long while. There's just something about Michael Sullivan that made me fall head over heels the second he appears on the pages.
Admittedly, the first two books in this series haven't been my favorite. But there was something so...different about this one. It had a different vibe and energy to it that I found lacking in the other two.
Michael and Dahlia have a right place but wrong time sort of beginning when they first meet. Their chemistry is immediate and downright incendiary. But Dahlia has just settled in a relationship with a man that's good for her and she doesn't want to jeopardize that. But when she finds out that Michael is her boyfriend's best friend, she knows that any potential they may have had will never be. So they settle into a friendship with a side of burning unrequited love on both sides. It becomes clear just how crazy Michael is about her, but youthful mistakes and fate circumstances soon spell the end for any budding romance they may have had.
When life takes a turn once more, Dahlia finds herself back in her home town and facing the circumstances of her decision all those years ago; the biggest one being Michael. But he's no longer the sweet man that she knew in her youth. He's angry, bitter, and hurt. As much as you want to hate Michael for his callous treatment of Dahlia when she first appears back in his life, you just can't. You know that he's harboring a lot of pain but you don't know quite what transpired between the two of them to bring them to this place. That slowly gets trickle fed to the reader chapter by chapter. But when you see this southie boy see the error of his ways and finally pursue Dahlia with a single minded intent to break down all of her walls? Oh my swoon!!!! He's sheer perfection.
I really loved this beautifully emotional romance. The more you learn about Dahlia's past and what sent her running, the more you begin to understand. It takes the majority of the book to fully unravel the truth, and it's devastating at the core of it.
There's also a bit of action and suspense that's thrown in, along with the tease of two secondary characters that I'm desperately waiting on a book for.
Ultimately, this was an incredibly satisfying read that I enjoyed from start to finish and would recommend to any Sam Young fan out there.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
May 26, 2019
4 stars!
Hart's Boardwalk is a series that has wormed it's way into my heart. I enjoyed the first two books very much, and what keeps me invested in this series is the complex characters that I have grown to love.
In this third novel (which I personally think can be read as a standalone) we learn about Dahlia, a metal shop owner who makes jewelry and Michael, a cop in Boston. Years ago they had been in love, but a devastating event ripped them apart and has been haunting both of them. When Dahlia returns to Boston for the first time in 9 years to visit her father, she and Michael meet again. Sparks fly, and when Dahlia leaves for Delaware again, Michael follows her.
I love my angsty romances and Samantha Young always delivers. I haven't been reading much romance lately, so I have to be selective with the authors I choose and I always come back to Young. She writes the best stories and I find myself completely enamored with her characters and stories. If you haven't picked up this series, you need to.
PS: WE NEED A BOOK ABOUT EMERY STAT! I WANT IT NOW!
Follow me on ♥ Facebook ♥ Blog ♥ Instagram ♥ Twitter ♥
Hart's Boardwalk is a series that has wormed it's way into my heart. I enjoyed the first two books very much, and what keeps me invested in this series is the complex characters that I have grown to love.
In this third novel (which I personally think can be read as a standalone) we learn about Dahlia, a metal shop owner who makes jewelry and Michael, a cop in Boston. Years ago they had been in love, but a devastating event ripped them apart and has been haunting both of them. When Dahlia returns to Boston for the first time in 9 years to visit her father, she and Michael meet again. Sparks fly, and when Dahlia leaves for Delaware again, Michael follows her.
I love my angsty romances and Samantha Young always delivers. I haven't been reading much romance lately, so I have to be selective with the authors I choose and I always come back to Young. She writes the best stories and I find myself completely enamored with her characters and stories. If you haven't picked up this series, you need to.
PS: WE NEED A BOOK ABOUT EMERY STAT! I WANT IT NOW!
Follow me on ♥ Facebook ♥ Blog ♥ Instagram ♥ Twitter ♥
May 7, 2019
4 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
-My heart raced as this invisible rope seemed to lasso around us both, drawing us closer and closer. I didn’t understand it. Every nerve ending tingled with life, my skin was hot, and my whole being was lit with awareness.
-“You can’t tell me you don’t feel this?”
-This pull with Michael was so much more.
-There was something here. Some connection I didn’t understand.
Dahlia McGuire is a beautiful Irish woman who moves to the quiet, popular, tourist seaside town of Hartwell, Delaware for a fresh start. She initially went to hide from her troubles, but it soon became her home. Life was simple and peaceful, and she enjoyed owning her own shop where she made and sold jewelry. She had great friends and was genuinely happy. Then her dad needs her and she decides to return home to Boston for a visit. She's estranged from most of her family, and hasn't been home in nine years. She's forced to face the demons of her past, and this includes the man who has owned her heart since they met.
Eleven years ago Dahlia was an art student who met a sexy stranger named Michael Sullivan. What they had was special and unique, and he made her feel alive. It was explosive, passionate, and real. It was a once in a lifetime type of connection. Then life happens and things get complicated as time, distance, and tragedy tear them apart.
-Longing so painful gripped my chest. I hadn’t seen him in years and all at once, it was like breathing for the first time in a decade.
-It had been eleven years since he’d met Dahlia McGuire, and his head, his heart, had never been the same since.
-No woman had ever looked at Michael the way Dahlia did. Like he was the sun, moon, and every fuckin’ thing in between.
-She’d felt like home.
-No guy ever made me lose my rational thought so completely as Michael Sullivan. I was a slave to my body when it came to him, and I didn’t care.
-The fever that crawled through me burned hotter, awakening my body inch by inch in a way only Michael Sullivan’s touch could.
Michael Sullivan is a cop for the Boston PD. He's newly divorced and trying to move on with his life when Dahlia blows back into town to turn his life upside down. From the moment he met her he'd been a goner. Then she left him, and he's tried to make his feelings go away. Seeing her again, he realizes his feelings have only grown stronger over time. He has so much anger and resentment he didn't know what to do with, and he hated he still wanted her more than he'd ever wanted any woman. They've wasted a lot of time, and are both just existing and not truly living. He decides he wants her back, and relentlessly pursues her. He won't let her slip threw his fingers again, but can they find their way back to one another with so much hurt and history been them?
Things We Never Said by Samantha Young is a Hart's Boardwalk novel. It is a heartbreakingly beautiful second chance romance full of angst and emotion that is told alternating from the past to the present as this couple changes and evolves over time. They struggle through grief, loss, guilt, separation, and forgiveness on their journey back to one another. I really enjoyed this touching story about soulmates and look forward to reading more in this series! I am dying for a book for Jeff!!! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/2vGdOWP
(ARC provided by author)
-My heart raced as this invisible rope seemed to lasso around us both, drawing us closer and closer. I didn’t understand it. Every nerve ending tingled with life, my skin was hot, and my whole being was lit with awareness.
-“You can’t tell me you don’t feel this?”
-This pull with Michael was so much more.
-There was something here. Some connection I didn’t understand.
Dahlia McGuire is a beautiful Irish woman who moves to the quiet, popular, tourist seaside town of Hartwell, Delaware for a fresh start. She initially went to hide from her troubles, but it soon became her home. Life was simple and peaceful, and she enjoyed owning her own shop where she made and sold jewelry. She had great friends and was genuinely happy. Then her dad needs her and she decides to return home to Boston for a visit. She's estranged from most of her family, and hasn't been home in nine years. She's forced to face the demons of her past, and this includes the man who has owned her heart since they met.
Eleven years ago Dahlia was an art student who met a sexy stranger named Michael Sullivan. What they had was special and unique, and he made her feel alive. It was explosive, passionate, and real. It was a once in a lifetime type of connection. Then life happens and things get complicated as time, distance, and tragedy tear them apart.
-Longing so painful gripped my chest. I hadn’t seen him in years and all at once, it was like breathing for the first time in a decade.
-It had been eleven years since he’d met Dahlia McGuire, and his head, his heart, had never been the same since.
-No woman had ever looked at Michael the way Dahlia did. Like he was the sun, moon, and every fuckin’ thing in between.
-She’d felt like home.
-No guy ever made me lose my rational thought so completely as Michael Sullivan. I was a slave to my body when it came to him, and I didn’t care.
-The fever that crawled through me burned hotter, awakening my body inch by inch in a way only Michael Sullivan’s touch could.
Michael Sullivan is a cop for the Boston PD. He's newly divorced and trying to move on with his life when Dahlia blows back into town to turn his life upside down. From the moment he met her he'd been a goner. Then she left him, and he's tried to make his feelings go away. Seeing her again, he realizes his feelings have only grown stronger over time. He has so much anger and resentment he didn't know what to do with, and he hated he still wanted her more than he'd ever wanted any woman. They've wasted a lot of time, and are both just existing and not truly living. He decides he wants her back, and relentlessly pursues her. He won't let her slip threw his fingers again, but can they find their way back to one another with so much hurt and history been them?
Things We Never Said by Samantha Young is a Hart's Boardwalk novel. It is a heartbreakingly beautiful second chance romance full of angst and emotion that is told alternating from the past to the present as this couple changes and evolves over time. They struggle through grief, loss, guilt, separation, and forgiveness on their journey back to one another. I really enjoyed this touching story about soulmates and look forward to reading more in this series! I am dying for a book for Jeff!!! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/2vGdOWP
April 9, 2019
This is the 3rd story in the Hart’s Boardwalk series and this time the focus is on Dahlia. If you are a fan of second chance love stories then get comfy and settle in.
Dahlia is a talented jewellery designer and owns her own gift store on the boardwalk. She has lived here for about nine years after leaving Boston and her family behind to start afresh. She loves her life here and especially enjoys the friendship she has with her girlfriends. Dahlia, Jess, Bailey & Emery have regular coffee catch ups in the bookshop. This is something women are so good at doing, having these sort of therapy sessions with their friends where they can talk about anything and feed their souls.
When Dahlia receives some news from home that completely blind sides her, she decides it’s time to return and face the past she has been avoiding for so long. I should mention that this story is set in ‘today’ but the prologue begins in the past and we dip back into that time throughout the story. This helps make sense of all the turmoil and emotion that Dahlia is experiencing through this story.
When Dahlia was a young adult her family went through an awful tragedy. It completely tore her loving family home apart. Dahlia wore the brunt of the sorrow and anger the most out of all her siblings. This is why she left Boston to start anew. Only one person in her family knew where she was so her return home is not a warm one. Not from her siblings or the man she used to love so dearly, Michael.
Returning home brings a pile of confronting emotions to Dahlia but it also is an opportunity to have honest and revealing discussions with her family. Her reasons for leaving are much clearer now and when she does return to Hartwell it is with a much lighter heart and closure of sorts. Going home was never going to be easy but she is glad she did. Seeing Michael again was tough but she is hoping that now they can both move on with their separate lives and be happy again.
Dahlia may be happy in Hartwell but she is lonely. She has dated a little bit but she will never be able to give her heart to anyone else. In fact, falling in love again will never be in her future, she doesn’t deserve to have that all consuming love that she once enjoyed with Michael. Spending time with him in Boston brought back so many memories, her heart still skips a beat when he is near and he is even better looking now than he was all those years ago. Saying goodbye again hurt but she knows they can never truly be together, they need to move on.
When Dahlia hears about a new hire at the sheriff’s office she is shocked to find out it is Michael. What the hell is he doing in her home town and why would he leave a big city job to work in a county? Turns out that Michael has moved for only one reason, Dahlia. He has been in love with this beautiful woman for 10 years and there is no way he is letting her slip through his fingers again.
This was a story filled with so much emotion, guilt and heartbreak. These two definitely had that incredible connection that transcended time and they were just meant to be. I loved being back in Hart’s Boardwalk with these characters, it feels like catching up with old friends each time I read a new book in this series.
Dahlia is a talented jewellery designer and owns her own gift store on the boardwalk. She has lived here for about nine years after leaving Boston and her family behind to start afresh. She loves her life here and especially enjoys the friendship she has with her girlfriends. Dahlia, Jess, Bailey & Emery have regular coffee catch ups in the bookshop. This is something women are so good at doing, having these sort of therapy sessions with their friends where they can talk about anything and feed their souls.
When Dahlia receives some news from home that completely blind sides her, she decides it’s time to return and face the past she has been avoiding for so long. I should mention that this story is set in ‘today’ but the prologue begins in the past and we dip back into that time throughout the story. This helps make sense of all the turmoil and emotion that Dahlia is experiencing through this story.
When Dahlia was a young adult her family went through an awful tragedy. It completely tore her loving family home apart. Dahlia wore the brunt of the sorrow and anger the most out of all her siblings. This is why she left Boston to start anew. Only one person in her family knew where she was so her return home is not a warm one. Not from her siblings or the man she used to love so dearly, Michael.
Returning home brings a pile of confronting emotions to Dahlia but it also is an opportunity to have honest and revealing discussions with her family. Her reasons for leaving are much clearer now and when she does return to Hartwell it is with a much lighter heart and closure of sorts. Going home was never going to be easy but she is glad she did. Seeing Michael again was tough but she is hoping that now they can both move on with their separate lives and be happy again.
Dahlia may be happy in Hartwell but she is lonely. She has dated a little bit but she will never be able to give her heart to anyone else. In fact, falling in love again will never be in her future, she doesn’t deserve to have that all consuming love that she once enjoyed with Michael. Spending time with him in Boston brought back so many memories, her heart still skips a beat when he is near and he is even better looking now than he was all those years ago. Saying goodbye again hurt but she knows they can never truly be together, they need to move on.
When Dahlia hears about a new hire at the sheriff’s office she is shocked to find out it is Michael. What the hell is he doing in her home town and why would he leave a big city job to work in a county? Turns out that Michael has moved for only one reason, Dahlia. He has been in love with this beautiful woman for 10 years and there is no way he is letting her slip through his fingers again.
This was a story filled with so much emotion, guilt and heartbreak. These two definitely had that incredible connection that transcended time and they were just meant to be. I loved being back in Hart’s Boardwalk with these characters, it feels like catching up with old friends each time I read a new book in this series.
August 12, 2019
Things We Never Said is the third installment in the Hart's Boardwalk series. I honestly thought it's going to be Emery's book but it turns out this is Dahlia's story.
Dahlia McGuire is known in Hartwell as a metalsmith. She's a gift shop owner and she lives in the small town for almost a decade. Originally, she's from Boston and a tragedy happened causing her to leave hometown and it deeply affected her relationship with her family.
When she heard her parents are divorcing, she's left without a choice but to return and face her family , as well as her ex-boyfriend, Michael Sullivan, who's best friends with one of her exes, Gary. What they had before was complicated and dramatic.It was a sour breakup and they have unresolved issues. Their love and affection for each other is palpable in spite of everything. Will it be another chance at love or is it goodbye?
There's a lot of events going on with this book. Aside it's a second chance romance, this book is family centered and greatly explores grief and forgiveness. Everything was laid out and each characters slowly heal their broken relationship. It's challenging to read some passages especially when Dahlia's siblings and Michael expressed their anger and disappointment. They have valid reasons but I can't help sympathizing on Dahlia. She went through a lot and years of carrying a guilt over someone whose dearly to her is painful. I can't help being emotional on her journey and I'm incredibly happy she found closure and catch up with her family.
Michael and Dahlia have an intense, slow burn romance. It's a great decision for Ms. Samantha Young to prolong the tension and after what happened in their past, she lets her characters solved their individual issues first before everything else. Admittedly, I got impatient and thought it's dragging. However, I realize that it made the romance between them more realistic in the end.
Overall, it's a wonderful sequel but Vaughn and Bailey's story remains my favorite. I'm lowkey waiting for Emery's book because possibly her love interest is a bad boy.... ;) GIMME BAD BOY - GOOD GIRL ROMANCE!
Dahlia McGuire is known in Hartwell as a metalsmith. She's a gift shop owner and she lives in the small town for almost a decade. Originally, she's from Boston and a tragedy happened causing her to leave hometown and it deeply affected her relationship with her family.
When she heard her parents are divorcing, she's left without a choice but to return and face her family , as well as her ex-boyfriend, Michael Sullivan, who's best friends with one of her exes, Gary. What they had before was complicated and dramatic.It was a sour breakup and they have unresolved issues. Their love and affection for each other is palpable in spite of everything. Will it be another chance at love or is it goodbye?
There's a lot of events going on with this book. Aside it's a second chance romance, this book is family centered and greatly explores grief and forgiveness. Everything was laid out and each characters slowly heal their broken relationship. It's challenging to read some passages especially when Dahlia's siblings and Michael expressed their anger and disappointment. They have valid reasons but I can't help sympathizing on Dahlia. She went through a lot and years of carrying a guilt over someone whose dearly to her is painful. I can't help being emotional on her journey and I'm incredibly happy she found closure and catch up with her family.
Michael and Dahlia have an intense, slow burn romance. It's a great decision for Ms. Samantha Young to prolong the tension and after what happened in their past, she lets her characters solved their individual issues first before everything else. Admittedly, I got impatient and thought it's dragging. However, I realize that it made the romance between them more realistic in the end.
Overall, it's a wonderful sequel but Vaughn and Bailey's story remains my favorite. I'm lowkey waiting for Emery's book because possibly her love interest is a bad boy.... ;) GIMME BAD BOY - GOOD GIRL ROMANCE!
May 7, 2019
We all remember Dahlia!
She's the jewelry maker with her own little shop on the boardwalk. We don't know much about her previous life. In the last book we finally saw someone from her past. Michael.
Now we go back eleven years and see how she met him - it was insta-attraction! Unfortunately he was the best buddy of her new boyfriend.
Then some very heartbreaking things must've happened because Dahlia left Boston and hasn't been back home in almost a decade.
That's about to change because her beloved dad just told her that he and mom are getting divorced!
Off to Boston we go to check on dad and maybe see her siblings again. They probably hate her after everything that happened. Which we still don't know anything about at this point! ☺
Michael is in Boston too of course - and those old feelings are still there - but he hates her too for leaving ...
What will happen with Dahlia & Michael??
Will we get our happily ever after??
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT! ☺
══════════════════
Finally it's Dahlia's turn to get her Happily Ever After!!!
And it was beautiful!
Heartbreaking and adorable and sweet and sad and funny and so full of love and hate and family and forgiveness. I just adored this story!
It takes them a long while to get that happily ever after - 11 years - but they'll get there!
And the reader has an amazing time watching them fight for that happy end!
I love that this is a more mature series. Those couples are all in their thirties .... we don't have any immature 21-year-olds running around. ☺
I loved that we got to see all the other people in town again. We even heard some interesting bits about Emery!!! I can't wait to get my hands on her book!
THINGS WE NEVER SAID was an adorable & funny & sexy & heartbreaking lovestory! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Michael - this one is MINE!!!
The only tiny little thing I didn't like. Which is kind of basically the whole point of the book ... the reason(s) why those two haven't been together for the last decade! The stupid thing he/she/they did! Ugh. - But I still really loved reading the book! ☺ There just has to be some weird stuff - some misunderstanding or mistake or whatever - otherwise all books would be HEA from the start!
♡
♡
January 17, 2021
Samantha Young weiß einfach wie man Bücher schreibt – ihre hochemotionalen Geschichten und wunderbar geschriebenen Charaktere schleichen sich immer wieder in mein Herz und damit gehört sie wohlverdient zu meinen absoluten Lieblingsautorinnen. Leider habe ich die ersten beiden Teile der Hartwell Lovestories Reihe noch nicht gelesen, aber da mich das Cover und der Klappentext von „Things We Never Said“ so angesprochen hat, wollte ich es mit dem Lesen trotzdem probieren. Im Nachhinein muss ich aber leider gestehen, dass die Geschichte mich nicht so ganz von sich überzeugen konnte und ich auch lieber mehr Vorwissen zu den Nebencharakteren gehabt hätte.
Ich bin zunächst leicht in die Geschichte reingekommen und muss auch sagen, dass ich am Anfang echt ein gutes Gefühl beim Lesen hatte, denn dieses Buch ist voller Drama und Wendungen. Da ich total auf „Zweite Chancen“ Geschichten stehe, habe ich mir viel von der Handlung erhofft, aber leider konnte ich sowohl zu Dahlia als auch zu Michael keinen Draht aufbauen. Besonderss er war die meiste Zeit des Buches ziemlich gemein zu ihr, bis er sich entschied, ihr noch eine Chance zu geben. Das machte es mir schwer, ihm als Leser zu verzeihen. Er macht eine abrupte Änderung und ist süß, während er Dahlia verfolgt. Also habe ich ihm verziehen, aber es hat mich dazu gebracht, ihn weniger zu mögen, als wenn das nie passiert wäre.
Dieses Buch ist so vollgestopft mit Drama und Angst, von der Beziehung zu einem Mann, während er in seinen besten Freund verliebt ist, über elterlichen Missbrauch, Alkoholismus, bis hin zu einer Schwester, die sich mit dem Mann trifft, in den sie verliebt ist, bis diese Schwester stirbt und noch mehr! Es war einfach zu viel. Ja, die Geschichte war herzzerreißend und emotional, aber für mich war sie viel zu schwer. Ihre Beziehung war so stürmisch und es gab so viel Streit und Wegschieben durch einen Großteil des Buches. Es gab kaum glückliche Momente, bis zum Ende, als sie endlich für immer zusammenkommen. Es gab Teile des Buches, die ich wirklich mochte, aber so richtiges Kribbeln habe ich zwischen Dahlia und Michael trotzdem nicht gespürt.
Insgesamt hat sich das Buch für mich sehr langatmig und auch stockend angefühlt. Ich würde so ziemlich jedes andere Samantha Young Buch, was ich von ihr bisher gelesen habe vorziehen, aber wem das ständige Hin und Her von Liebespärchen auf die Nerven geht, dem würde ich eher von „Things We Never Said“ abraten. Ich freue mich trotzdem sehr auf alle kommenden Samantha Young Büchern und werde es auf jeden Fall mit den zwei Vorgängern auch mal probieren!
Ich bin zunächst leicht in die Geschichte reingekommen und muss auch sagen, dass ich am Anfang echt ein gutes Gefühl beim Lesen hatte, denn dieses Buch ist voller Drama und Wendungen. Da ich total auf „Zweite Chancen“ Geschichten stehe, habe ich mir viel von der Handlung erhofft, aber leider konnte ich sowohl zu Dahlia als auch zu Michael keinen Draht aufbauen. Besonderss er war die meiste Zeit des Buches ziemlich gemein zu ihr, bis er sich entschied, ihr noch eine Chance zu geben. Das machte es mir schwer, ihm als Leser zu verzeihen. Er macht eine abrupte Änderung und ist süß, während er Dahlia verfolgt. Also habe ich ihm verziehen, aber es hat mich dazu gebracht, ihn weniger zu mögen, als wenn das nie passiert wäre.
Dieses Buch ist so vollgestopft mit Drama und Angst, von der Beziehung zu einem Mann, während er in seinen besten Freund verliebt ist, über elterlichen Missbrauch, Alkoholismus, bis hin zu einer Schwester, die sich mit dem Mann trifft, in den sie verliebt ist, bis diese Schwester stirbt und noch mehr! Es war einfach zu viel. Ja, die Geschichte war herzzerreißend und emotional, aber für mich war sie viel zu schwer. Ihre Beziehung war so stürmisch und es gab so viel Streit und Wegschieben durch einen Großteil des Buches. Es gab kaum glückliche Momente, bis zum Ende, als sie endlich für immer zusammenkommen. Es gab Teile des Buches, die ich wirklich mochte, aber so richtiges Kribbeln habe ich zwischen Dahlia und Michael trotzdem nicht gespürt.
Insgesamt hat sich das Buch für mich sehr langatmig und auch stockend angefühlt. Ich würde so ziemlich jedes andere Samantha Young Buch, was ich von ihr bisher gelesen habe vorziehen, aber wem das ständige Hin und Her von Liebespärchen auf die Nerven geht, dem würde ich eher von „Things We Never Said“ abraten. Ich freue mich trotzdem sehr auf alle kommenden Samantha Young Büchern und werde es auf jeden Fall mit den zwei Vorgängern auch mal probieren!
April 30, 2021
Things We Never Said took me by surprise. I do not expect to like this book because the time frame is confusing. The more I read, the more Miss Young dragged me under her spell.
This is second chance romance story. With Miss Young signature, it packs with drama.
There are so much sadness and heart break in this book. Especially for Dahlia. I do like martyr type heroine. Somehow it reminds me of myself. And Michael is that perfect broodong, silent book boyfriend.
Dahlia and Michael love story is not smooth. Many obstacles in between and they separated for 9 years. Both trying to move on. But realizing they just empty shell without each other.
This is also a story of forgiving and acceptance.
Overall a wonderful read for a glummy Friday.
4 stars
This is second chance romance story. With Miss Young signature, it packs with drama.
There are so much sadness and heart break in this book. Especially for Dahlia. I do like martyr type heroine. Somehow it reminds me of myself. And Michael is that perfect broodong, silent book boyfriend.
Dahlia and Michael love story is not smooth. Many obstacles in between and they separated for 9 years. Both trying to move on. But realizing they just empty shell without each other.
This is also a story of forgiving and acceptance.
Overall a wonderful read for a glummy Friday.
4 stars
March 25, 2020
4.5! The angst was AMAZING
May 16, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Samantha Young is a go-to author for me and second chance romances are one of my favourites, so I pretty much knew Things We Never Said would do it for me. However, I wasn’t prepared for just how spectacularly it wiped the floor with my extremely high expectations.
I could not put this book down - it’s a delightful combination of drama, intrigue, humour, passion and emotion, with off the charts angst and ALL THE FEELS!
The plot was engaging and the momentum of the story was perfectly paced. I adored Dahlia and Michael, they were down to earth and had great chemistry. Dahlia was feisty and funny, while Michael was alpha hot and deliciously dreamy.
It was fab catching up with the whole Hartwell gang, particularly Jess, Cooper, Bailey and Vaughn (Vaughn = swoony sigh <3). This has been my favourite read of the year, it was thoroughly entertaining and I absolutely cannot wait for the next instalment from the Hart’s Boardwalk series.
***ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***
#ThingsWeNeverSaid
https://raesxreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Samantha Young is a go-to author for me and second chance romances are one of my favourites, so I pretty much knew Things We Never Said would do it for me. However, I wasn’t prepared for just how spectacularly it wiped the floor with my extremely high expectations.
I could not put this book down - it’s a delightful combination of drama, intrigue, humour, passion and emotion, with off the charts angst and ALL THE FEELS!
The plot was engaging and the momentum of the story was perfectly paced. I adored Dahlia and Michael, they were down to earth and had great chemistry. Dahlia was feisty and funny, while Michael was alpha hot and deliciously dreamy.
It was fab catching up with the whole Hartwell gang, particularly Jess, Cooper, Bailey and Vaughn (Vaughn = swoony sigh <3). This has been my favourite read of the year, it was thoroughly entertaining and I absolutely cannot wait for the next instalment from the Hart’s Boardwalk series.
***ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***
#ThingsWeNeverSaid
https://raesxreviews.blogspot.com/201...
May 7, 2019
I've been in a reading slump the past few weeks so I was excited that I could dive into the ARC of Samantha Young's newest book. I started reading Samantha Young back when she first published On Dublin Street, and I've been a fan ever since.
While reading this book, I finally was able to figure out what I love about Samantha Young's writing style, and it's the fact that each story reads like your best friend is telling you the story. It's almost like you sit down and spend 4 hours listening to your best friend's dirty jokes, setbacks, and love life. It's truly a fantastic experience. I love how conversational her books are, and I always feel like I'm saying goodbye to a friend when I finish a book. This book was no different.
Things We Never Said is the third in the Hart's Boardwalk series. We learn about Dahlia McGuire's past, her heartbreaks, and her family. Dahlia was never a character I connected to in the other books, so I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy it as much as her other books. Luckily, my hesitancy was misplaced. Not only did I start to connect with Dahlia as a character but I also truly enjoyed the plot. We got to see more of Dahlia's background, and I couldn't help but cry for her and her experiences.
I loved Dahlia's messy background, and I couldn't help but cry for her and her family. I enjoyed learning more about her history and see how she could overcome some of her hardships. With all of Samantha Young's books, the characters and relationships were the shining stars of this story. I think many readers will be able to connect with Dahlia and Michael. They were realistic, and I loved the character growth they both had to do throughout the book.
All in all, I'm giving this 4 1/2 Caffeinated Stars! The plot was interesting, the characters superb, and I really can't wait for the next book in the series.
While reading this book, I finally was able to figure out what I love about Samantha Young's writing style, and it's the fact that each story reads like your best friend is telling you the story. It's almost like you sit down and spend 4 hours listening to your best friend's dirty jokes, setbacks, and love life. It's truly a fantastic experience. I love how conversational her books are, and I always feel like I'm saying goodbye to a friend when I finish a book. This book was no different.
Things We Never Said is the third in the Hart's Boardwalk series. We learn about Dahlia McGuire's past, her heartbreaks, and her family. Dahlia was never a character I connected to in the other books, so I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy it as much as her other books. Luckily, my hesitancy was misplaced. Not only did I start to connect with Dahlia as a character but I also truly enjoyed the plot. We got to see more of Dahlia's background, and I couldn't help but cry for her and her experiences.
I loved Dahlia's messy background, and I couldn't help but cry for her and her family. I enjoyed learning more about her history and see how she could overcome some of her hardships. With all of Samantha Young's books, the characters and relationships were the shining stars of this story. I think many readers will be able to connect with Dahlia and Michael. They were realistic, and I loved the character growth they both had to do throughout the book.
All in all, I'm giving this 4 1/2 Caffeinated Stars! The plot was interesting, the characters superb, and I really can't wait for the next book in the series.
April 8, 2021
3,5 ⭐️
An sich hat mir die Geschichte wirklich gut gefallen, aber mich konnte das Buch leider nicht berühren, abgesehen davon, dass es ein paar Aspekte gab, die mich etwas gestört haben.
An sich hat mir die Geschichte wirklich gut gefallen, aber mich konnte das Buch leider nicht berühren, abgesehen davon, dass es ein paar Aspekte gab, die mich etwas gestört haben.
August 6, 2019
3.5 Angst Filled Stars
Second chance stories are one of my favorites when done well. I have only read one other Samantha Young book and so I wasn’t really sure what to expect in Things We Never Said. This is told in a present past fashion as all the details of Dahlia and Michaels past are teased out.
When Michael and Dahlia meet you know they are meant to be. The chemistry between them is electric and I was rooting for them in the first few pages of the book.
But then the wrench is thrown into the mix as Michael turns out to be the best friend of Dahlia’s current boyfriend, don’t worry she told him she had a boyfriend and Michael and Dahlia agree to be just friends and never mention again all the sparks between them.
Fast-forward almost a decade and we learn that Dahlia is pretty much in hiding in a small sea-side town as a jewelry maker and hasn’t been back to Boston to see her family, or Michael since something devastating happened that ripped her family apart. But now her mom and dad are divorcing and she is going to be there for her father even if it means facing some of the ghosts of her past.
This was angsty. Both Michael and Dalhia made stupid mistakes in their early twenties that led to them being in love with one another but never quite going there.
There were parts of this that were difficult to read since Michael was a pretty big jerk to Dalhia, before he pulled his head out. Sure, he was hurt and had reasons but, well words hurt and he threw some big ones at her.
Still, I rooted for them and loved Dahlia’s relationship with her father. It was hard to put the book down because I wanted to tease out everything from their past and get to the good stuff going into their future.
I really like the Hart’s Boardwalk, the sleepy little seaside town of Hartwell in Delaware and the other girls that were hanging out in the story. This can definitely be read as a stand-alone, but a few of the characters intrigued me enough that I’ll go back and read their stories too. I’ll definitely pick up Emery’s book if it is next.
Second chance stories are one of my favorites when done well. I have only read one other Samantha Young book and so I wasn’t really sure what to expect in Things We Never Said. This is told in a present past fashion as all the details of Dahlia and Michaels past are teased out.
When Michael and Dahlia meet you know they are meant to be. The chemistry between them is electric and I was rooting for them in the first few pages of the book.
“Trust me, dahlin’, I appreciate the good things in life, and I’m more grateful than I can say when I come across special. Just never thought I’d come across goddamn extraordinary in my life.”
But then the wrench is thrown into the mix as Michael turns out to be the best friend of Dahlia’s current boyfriend, don’t worry she told him she had a boyfriend and Michael and Dahlia agree to be just friends and never mention again all the sparks between them.
Fast-forward almost a decade and we learn that Dahlia is pretty much in hiding in a small sea-side town as a jewelry maker and hasn’t been back to Boston to see her family, or Michael since something devastating happened that ripped her family apart. But now her mom and dad are divorcing and she is going to be there for her father even if it means facing some of the ghosts of her past.
This was angsty. Both Michael and Dalhia made stupid mistakes in their early twenties that led to them being in love with one another but never quite going there.
“You left me.” His words caught like stinging cuts on my lips. “You left me and I was so in love with you. I didn’t want to find you because you broke my heart, Dahlia. You broke my fuckin’ heart.”
There were parts of this that were difficult to read since Michael was a pretty big jerk to Dalhia, before he pulled his head out. Sure, he was hurt and had reasons but, well words hurt and he threw some big ones at her.
Still, I rooted for them and loved Dahlia’s relationship with her father. It was hard to put the book down because I wanted to tease out everything from their past and get to the good stuff going into their future.
I really like the Hart’s Boardwalk, the sleepy little seaside town of Hartwell in Delaware and the other girls that were hanging out in the story. This can definitely be read as a stand-alone, but a few of the characters intrigued me enough that I’ll go back and read their stories too. I’ll definitely pick up Emery’s book if it is next.
April 8, 2019
Angst and heartache. Drama and suspense. Steam and longing. Slow burn and the most swoon-tastic hero... Things We Never Said HAD IT ALL. This book is a painstaking struggle. Chapter after chapter of push and pull, complicated emotions and gut wrenching despair layer this story that spans over a decade and it HURTS SO GOOD. It hurts to endure this devastating story, it's indescribably painful at times. But it's hauntingly romantic and so worth every bit of hardship in the end.
There are scenes in this book that literally took my breath away and I can tell you that every single one had Michael Sullivan smack in the center. Sometimes his words, spoken in the throes of despair, are an unexpected punch to the gut. But other times, his declarations and his admissions are some of the most romantic lines I've ever read. This is a story of impossibility and complicated longing and it's beautiful and frustrating and angsty and I loved it.
The Hart's Boardwalk series has been a bit bumpy for me as a reader but this book in particular is now a personal favorite. I enjoyed every bit of it and I honestly hope Samantha Young has more planned. Things We Never Said is so many things, a story of second chances, third chances, so many chances over the course of a decade, a romance ebbing and flowing until the pieces finally click at just the right time. It's painful and so sexy and so so good.
There are scenes in this book that literally took my breath away and I can tell you that every single one had Michael Sullivan smack in the center. Sometimes his words, spoken in the throes of despair, are an unexpected punch to the gut. But other times, his declarations and his admissions are some of the most romantic lines I've ever read. This is a story of impossibility and complicated longing and it's beautiful and frustrating and angsty and I loved it.
The Hart's Boardwalk series has been a bit bumpy for me as a reader but this book in particular is now a personal favorite. I enjoyed every bit of it and I honestly hope Samantha Young has more planned. Things We Never Said is so many things, a story of second chances, third chances, so many chances over the course of a decade, a romance ebbing and flowing until the pieces finally click at just the right time. It's painful and so sexy and so so good.
May 21, 2019
5 stars
How did I not know Samantha Young had a new book out?
I blocked off the day and devoured this book.
Again, my favourite trope-second chance romance.
This one had so much heartbreak and angst, I choked up and had to stop reading a few times just to catch my breath.
Best to not spoil this for others, so I will leave my review as it is.
How did I not know Samantha Young had a new book out?
I blocked off the day and devoured this book.
Again, my favourite trope-second chance romance.
This one had so much heartbreak and angst, I choked up and had to stop reading a few times just to catch my breath.
Best to not spoil this for others, so I will leave my review as it is.
July 6, 2019
It felt great to be back with the Hart's Boardwalk crew and the friendships that feel more like family were just as I recalled. THINGS WE NEVER SAID quickly transported the story to Boston but this did not detract from the Hart's feel and fans will be glad to know that Hart's Boardwalk remains central to everything in this book.
THINGS WE NEVER SAID is an intense second chance romance between Dahlia and Michael. This was a story that traversed a few decades but centred on the present. Dahlia and Michael had a serendipitous meeting. Life after that was peppered with possibilities and roadblocks. The connection between these two was undeniable but they just didn't seemed destined to be together.
There is a wonderful family that pulls the whole focus of the story and Dahlia's family is real, warts and all. The family story made me just get lost in the words as I identified with the relatability of this aspect. There was also a suspense element later in the story that added to being drawn completely into the story.
I don't want to give anything away about the whys and whens of Dahlia and Michael's story but suffice it to say they made great reading. The build of the relationship burnt slow and deep, the heat was preeettty firey.
Like most fans of this series, I continue to need Emery's story badly. Please let this be coming sometime soon.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities blog here.
THINGS WE NEVER SAID is an intense second chance romance between Dahlia and Michael. This was a story that traversed a few decades but centred on the present. Dahlia and Michael had a serendipitous meeting. Life after that was peppered with possibilities and roadblocks. The connection between these two was undeniable but they just didn't seemed destined to be together.
There is a wonderful family that pulls the whole focus of the story and Dahlia's family is real, warts and all. The family story made me just get lost in the words as I identified with the relatability of this aspect. There was also a suspense element later in the story that added to being drawn completely into the story.
I don't want to give anything away about the whys and whens of Dahlia and Michael's story but suffice it to say they made great reading. The build of the relationship burnt slow and deep, the heat was preeettty firey.
Like most fans of this series, I continue to need Emery's story badly. Please let this be coming sometime soon.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities blog here.
April 19, 2019
Right from the very beginning Michael and Dahlia had so many obstacle to overcome to get to their HEA. Their struggle is filled with heartache, bad decisions, despair and finally, after 10 long years, true love and partnership. Dahlia was so stubborn, but when she was honest and admitted the real reason she was pushing him away, I completely got it.
July 22, 2019
I liked this series and I definitely will read Emery's book. I hope that is next.
But this book wasn't working for me. I was a bit bored and a lot of things didn't make sense.
Overall forgettable read...
But this book wasn't working for me. I was a bit bored and a lot of things didn't make sense.
Overall forgettable read...
September 14, 2020
4 ⭐'s
I was surprised that when I went to read The Truest Thing that I hadn't read this one! Somehow, it slipped through the cracks but I was happy to get to read it AND THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S SOOO ANGSTY!
Samantha Young worked her voodoo and gave us one amazing story about two young lovers that never really got to have a relationship.
Michael and Dahlia meet when she's working at an art gallery. He is totally smitten and lets her know. Unfortunately, she has a boyfriend so that's that...or is it?
And that's only the first hit this almost-relationship takes. Oh no, things get so much worse. But the story is a long time in telling and that was a bit of a pain.
Fast forward NINE years and Dahlia is set up nicely in Hartwell. She has a jewelry shop on the boardwalk and doing quite well, that is, until her father calls her and tells her that he and her mom is getting a divorce.
Ever the daddy's girl, she's off to help her Dad with what she can but almost immediately she is thrust into everything that is Michael's world. Luckily, she was a bit prepared as they had run into each other on the boardwalk recently.
Turns out Michael was married and is now also getting a divorce. He's bitter about how things went down between him and Dahlia and he pushes things a bit.
Dahlia has her reasons for staying away but with her family (except her Mom) being so accommodating, she has a lot of regret. And regret about Michael, however, she just can't let things slide. It's quite the tangled web.
Michael takes a different approach and Dahlia doesn't know what to do. She does want Michael but feels she can't have him.
I loved being back on the boardwalk and being with all the characters we've come to know and love.
There were a few things I didn't care for and one of them being the broach part in the epilogue...that was just too out there. Good news is that we get some scenes with Emery and Jack and I can't wait to get to their book!
I was surprised that when I went to read The Truest Thing that I hadn't read this one! Somehow, it slipped through the cracks but I was happy to get to read it AND THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S SOOO ANGSTY!
Samantha Young worked her voodoo and gave us one amazing story about two young lovers that never really got to have a relationship.
Michael and Dahlia meet when she's working at an art gallery. He is totally smitten and lets her know. Unfortunately, she has a boyfriend so that's that...or is it?
And that's only the first hit this almost-relationship takes. Oh no, things get so much worse. But the story is a long time in telling and that was a bit of a pain.
Fast forward NINE years and Dahlia is set up nicely in Hartwell. She has a jewelry shop on the boardwalk and doing quite well, that is, until her father calls her and tells her that he and her mom is getting a divorce.
Ever the daddy's girl, she's off to help her Dad with what she can but almost immediately she is thrust into everything that is Michael's world. Luckily, she was a bit prepared as they had run into each other on the boardwalk recently.
Turns out Michael was married and is now also getting a divorce. He's bitter about how things went down between him and Dahlia and he pushes things a bit.
Dahlia has her reasons for staying away but with her family (except her Mom) being so accommodating, she has a lot of regret. And regret about Michael, however, she just can't let things slide. It's quite the tangled web.
Michael takes a different approach and Dahlia doesn't know what to do. She does want Michael but feels she can't have him.
I loved being back on the boardwalk and being with all the characters we've come to know and love.
There were a few things I didn't care for and one of them being the broach part in the epilogue...that was just too out there. Good news is that we get some scenes with Emery and Jack and I can't wait to get to their book!
September 29, 2020
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
=======================
I really expected more from this story.
Heroine with martyr syndrome and an inexhaustible source of guilt over her sister's death and the toxic way her mother treated her.
Adding a hero who made bad choices, one of them was dating the heroine's sister.
His attitude did not seem like a guy in love, but a guy who didn't know what he wanted out of life.
I ended up really annoyed with everything and just didn't give up because I wanted to know the next step for the villains.
=======================
I really expected more from this story.
Heroine with martyr syndrome and an inexhaustible source of guilt over her sister's death and the toxic way her mother treated her.
Adding a hero who made bad choices, one of them was dating the heroine's sister.
His attitude did not seem like a guy in love, but a guy who didn't know what he wanted out of life.
I ended up really annoyed with everything and just didn't give up because I wanted to know the next step for the villains.
But six weeks ago, days before I broke up with Gary, I’d found out that he had started dating Dillon. They’d been together for ten weeks. Ten weeks! I knew that because Dillon kept walking around on cloud nine saying, “I can’t believe it’s been ten weeks. This is the one, Dahlia. Definitely the one.”
Consequently, he’d broken my heart last summer. And not for the first time.
November 4, 2021
**2.5 Stars**
Dahlia and Michael’s story was one I was looking forward to reading based on what happened in Bailey’s book. Sadly it all felt flat and the story didn’t deliver in Thing We Never Said. It could all have been resolved if they’d just communicated! I actually did enjoy getting to know Dahlia’s dad, her brothers and sisters. Also her friendship with Bailey and the other recurring characters from the series were great.
It started out promising with her first meeting with Michael but the whole non communication took too much focus away from the story. I enjoy angst but this was wasn’t working for me. Too repetitive.
I’m still interested in Emery’s story so maybe I’ll give that a try and hope it’ll better than this.
Sigh. I expected so much more from this book.
2.5 Stars
Dahlia and Michael’s story was one I was looking forward to reading based on what happened in Bailey’s book. Sadly it all felt flat and the story didn’t deliver in Thing We Never Said. It could all have been resolved if they’d just communicated! I actually did enjoy getting to know Dahlia’s dad, her brothers and sisters. Also her friendship with Bailey and the other recurring characters from the series were great.
It started out promising with her first meeting with Michael but the whole non communication took too much focus away from the story. I enjoy angst but this was wasn’t working for me. Too repetitive.
I’m still interested in Emery’s story so maybe I’ll give that a try and hope it’ll better than this.
Sigh. I expected so much more from this book.
2.5 Stars
December 14, 2019
I know that I’m rating a book that hasn’t been published, a book that I have not read. And I don’t know if this book will be a 5 star for me, but I don’t like the fact that some people gave it 1 or 2 stars before reading it. I’m just trying to balance the scales.
April 23, 2019
I’m a huge fan of Samantha Young and not because of this series, but because of ALL of her books. She knows how to go deep and touch every sensitive nerve you might have, starting with love and ending with family. This is the main reason why I connected with her, because it is clear she wants to connect with her readers, using their hearts in the process. It is an accepted blackmail, because she uses your weaknesses against you and most of the times you discover things you never knew you were feeling. Everything thanks to her and her amazing ability to write.
Speaking of connection, I connected a lot with the Hart’s Boardwalk series, being something new from my POV. Although the first book was not a 5 star for me, the second killed me because I loved the characters and the love/hate elationship they had. It was something intense for me and I wanted more and more. So Samantha delivered more. Sincerely speaking, I was not dying for Dahlia’s story, but I was ok with the choice, knowing the most mysterious love story will be let last😊 (fans know what I mean…. E&J will happen, I know it will!!!!!)
I was intrigued my Dahlia’s past, because I knew she has hiding serious stuff. I also liked her way, her attitude and her devotion towards her friends. It is very comforting to know that even in the darkest moments, you have somebody to rely on. Her history with Michael ran deep and had consequences. Maybe I didn’t understand it immediately, because the reveling came slooooowly, but it had a huge impact on me in the way I found out about certain aspects that went between them. She felt in love with Michael but couldn’t speak it loud because every time something came up, something interrupted their feelings and it only got me more and more frustrated. It was not a slow burn love, it was an intense love that didn’t have the chance to burn. Fate had a very ironic intervention, but maybe they needed this in order to grow and to be 100% ready for what is instored for them. Sincerely, I don’t know why things happen to certain people but I want to believe there is always a reason behind it.
Their relationship is presented on many timelines, the reader getting the big picture. I love it when I gradually learn about the characters and I connect with them on certain levels. Dahlia and Michael were intense from beginning to end, with soooo many things to reveal and to discover. I liked Michael more, even if I root 90% of the time with female characters. I liked his attitude, his cockiness and the way he thought me to fight for what I want and love. He is far from perfect, but at the end of the day, he was the one to push more, to want more, and I love a pushy hero ❤
Push and pull, tragedy and intense moments define their relationship and gradually buit their story for the readers. I think this is the most dramatic from the series up to date, with a more profund background and loss. Jessica also had a dramatic past, but I resonated with Dahlia’s story most.
Every story is a life lesson. Either you learn to love or to lose, you always learn something from Samantha’s books. The advantage of reading her is that you learn how to cope, to move on, to fight or to surrender, but always doing things that will make YOU happy, not the persons around you. Family is always first and the friends that surround you are a must to your well being and emotional stability. Never forget that 🙂
Speaking of connection, I connected a lot with the Hart’s Boardwalk series, being something new from my POV. Although the first book was not a 5 star for me, the second killed me because I loved the characters and the love/hate elationship they had. It was something intense for me and I wanted more and more. So Samantha delivered more. Sincerely speaking, I was not dying for Dahlia’s story, but I was ok with the choice, knowing the most mysterious love story will be let last😊 (fans know what I mean…. E&J will happen, I know it will!!!!!)
I was intrigued my Dahlia’s past, because I knew she has hiding serious stuff. I also liked her way, her attitude and her devotion towards her friends. It is very comforting to know that even in the darkest moments, you have somebody to rely on. Her history with Michael ran deep and had consequences. Maybe I didn’t understand it immediately, because the reveling came slooooowly, but it had a huge impact on me in the way I found out about certain aspects that went between them. She felt in love with Michael but couldn’t speak it loud because every time something came up, something interrupted their feelings and it only got me more and more frustrated. It was not a slow burn love, it was an intense love that didn’t have the chance to burn. Fate had a very ironic intervention, but maybe they needed this in order to grow and to be 100% ready for what is instored for them. Sincerely, I don’t know why things happen to certain people but I want to believe there is always a reason behind it.
Their relationship is presented on many timelines, the reader getting the big picture. I love it when I gradually learn about the characters and I connect with them on certain levels. Dahlia and Michael were intense from beginning to end, with soooo many things to reveal and to discover. I liked Michael more, even if I root 90% of the time with female characters. I liked his attitude, his cockiness and the way he thought me to fight for what I want and love. He is far from perfect, but at the end of the day, he was the one to push more, to want more, and I love a pushy hero ❤
Push and pull, tragedy and intense moments define their relationship and gradually buit their story for the readers. I think this is the most dramatic from the series up to date, with a more profund background and loss. Jessica also had a dramatic past, but I resonated with Dahlia’s story most.
Every story is a life lesson. Either you learn to love or to lose, you always learn something from Samantha’s books. The advantage of reading her is that you learn how to cope, to move on, to fight or to surrender, but always doing things that will make YOU happy, not the persons around you. Family is always first and the friends that surround you are a must to your well being and emotional stability. Never forget that 🙂
April 13, 2019
3.5 stars
Angsty, heartbreaking and wildly emotional, with this book, Samantha Young takes us back to Hart’s Boardwalk for Dahlia’s story, and it is an unexpected ride!
Dahlia is the best friend of Bailey Hartwell, and she runs a gift store where she makes her own jewellery on the Boardwalk in Hartwell. She has created a good life for herself there and is well liked. But secretly she is running from her past, refusing to deal with her past pain, and it’s all about to catch up with her.
When her beloved father needs her, Dahlia doesn’t even hesitate to return to Boston – even though it means she needs to face her estranged family and the tragedy that made her run away almost a decade ago. It’s emotional and heartwrenching and my heart ached for Dahlia, but her family is only one step of her journey, she also needs to face up to the love of her life and the man that she left all those years ago, newly-divorced Michael Sullivan.
Sparks flew when Dahlia and Michael met, but they were in an impossible situation as she was dating his best friend at the time. Over the years they grew close, but nothing was ever able to happen between them. It was angsty and messed up, and they both made mistakes, but when they finally found their way to each other, tragedy struck and Dahlia left town never to return. Now, all these years later, there’s still a whole lot of anger, guilt and heartache between them and it’s all about to be unleashed.
OMG, the pain! The angst! I could feel it all, and it packs an emotional punch. Despite all they’ve been through, and as much as they may have tried to move on, you can feel the love between these two, and their fiery reconnection isn’t what either of them expected. But it’s a spark, and when the time comes for Dahlia to return home to Hartwell, Michael isn’t ready to let go and so he follows her, desperate to prove that he’s all in – but he’s going to have to work for it because Dahlia is fighting him every step of the way.
It you think that’s a spoiler, it’s totally not, because that’s only part of Dahlia and Michael’s journey. This book is told in two parts – Dahlia’s visit to Boston, and then her return to Hartwell, with key moments from the past replayed in memory. It takes a while for the full truth all to unravel, and I was glued to my kindle as it all played out, desperate to see what was the big thing that forced Dahlia to run and what is holding her back in the present.
Honestly, the back and forth did get frustrating, but mostly I was just heartbroken over how shattered Dahlia was. Her backstory was tragic, but it did seem a little overly dramatic and unrealistic. Would this really happen? Who knows – I certainly hope not! But it left it’s mark on Dahlia, which is what brings the angst in the second half of the book. She has massive walls around herself, and Michael has a battle on his hands to win her over. It seemed very reminiscent of the Joss and Braden drama from On Dublin Street - in that it seemed pointless, annoying and OTT, but it creates drama and makes the inevitable reunion all the more meaningful.
At the same time, there is a new mystery in Hartwell, bringing danger and a bit of suspense to the story. Honestly, I didn’t think it was needed because there was already so much going on, but it ties in with the rest of the series, continuing the storyline of the bad guys trying to take over the town.
We get to see the rest of the crew from the series, and I loved catching up with them. The girl-posse is fantastic, and Cooper and Vaughan are still awesome. There are more clues for Emery’s book (which I’m super excited for), and new characters introduced that we’ll hopefully get to see more of.
This book definitely wasn’t what I was expecting, and it’s a rollercoaster, but Young writes it well. It’s as much a story of Dahlia’s journey to move on from the past as it is a love story, and the two elements are very closely intertwined. And though it’s a long, windy and angsty road, it does end well.
I loved being back with these characters, and though it definitely wasn’t easy, I was so happy to see Dahlia get her HEA.
3.5 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Angsty, heartbreaking and wildly emotional, with this book, Samantha Young takes us back to Hart’s Boardwalk for Dahlia’s story, and it is an unexpected ride!
Dahlia is the best friend of Bailey Hartwell, and she runs a gift store where she makes her own jewellery on the Boardwalk in Hartwell. She has created a good life for herself there and is well liked. But secretly she is running from her past, refusing to deal with her past pain, and it’s all about to catch up with her.
When her beloved father needs her, Dahlia doesn’t even hesitate to return to Boston – even though it means she needs to face her estranged family and the tragedy that made her run away almost a decade ago. It’s emotional and heartwrenching and my heart ached for Dahlia, but her family is only one step of her journey, she also needs to face up to the love of her life and the man that she left all those years ago, newly-divorced Michael Sullivan.
Sparks flew when Dahlia and Michael met, but they were in an impossible situation as she was dating his best friend at the time. Over the years they grew close, but nothing was ever able to happen between them. It was angsty and messed up, and they both made mistakes, but when they finally found their way to each other, tragedy struck and Dahlia left town never to return. Now, all these years later, there’s still a whole lot of anger, guilt and heartache between them and it’s all about to be unleashed.
“You left me.” His words caught like stinging cuts on my lips. “You left me and I was so in love with you. I didn’t want to find you because you broke my heart, Dahlia. You broke my fuckin’ heart.”
OMG, the pain! The angst! I could feel it all, and it packs an emotional punch. Despite all they’ve been through, and as much as they may have tried to move on, you can feel the love between these two, and their fiery reconnection isn’t what either of them expected. But it’s a spark, and when the time comes for Dahlia to return home to Hartwell, Michael isn’t ready to let go and so he follows her, desperate to prove that he’s all in – but he’s going to have to work for it because Dahlia is fighting him every step of the way.
It you think that’s a spoiler, it’s totally not, because that’s only part of Dahlia and Michael’s journey. This book is told in two parts – Dahlia’s visit to Boston, and then her return to Hartwell, with key moments from the past replayed in memory. It takes a while for the full truth all to unravel, and I was glued to my kindle as it all played out, desperate to see what was the big thing that forced Dahlia to run and what is holding her back in the present.
Honestly, the back and forth did get frustrating, but mostly I was just heartbroken over how shattered Dahlia was. Her backstory was tragic, but it did seem a little overly dramatic and unrealistic. Would this really happen? Who knows – I certainly hope not! But it left it’s mark on Dahlia, which is what brings the angst in the second half of the book. She has massive walls around herself, and Michael has a battle on his hands to win her over. It seemed very reminiscent of the Joss and Braden drama from On Dublin Street - in that it seemed pointless, annoying and OTT, but it creates drama and makes the inevitable reunion all the more meaningful.
“This time I’m not letting you go.”
At the same time, there is a new mystery in Hartwell, bringing danger and a bit of suspense to the story. Honestly, I didn’t think it was needed because there was already so much going on, but it ties in with the rest of the series, continuing the storyline of the bad guys trying to take over the town.
We get to see the rest of the crew from the series, and I loved catching up with them. The girl-posse is fantastic, and Cooper and Vaughan are still awesome. There are more clues for Emery’s book (which I’m super excited for), and new characters introduced that we’ll hopefully get to see more of.
This book definitely wasn’t what I was expecting, and it’s a rollercoaster, but Young writes it well. It’s as much a story of Dahlia’s journey to move on from the past as it is a love story, and the two elements are very closely intertwined. And though it’s a long, windy and angsty road, it does end well.
“I’ll wait forever for you, Michael Sullivan.”
He shook his head. “No waiting required. I’ve been yours since day one.”
I loved being back with these characters, and though it definitely wasn’t easy, I was so happy to see Dahlia get her HEA.
3.5 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2021
Es ist schon Ewigkeiten her seit ich Band 1 und 2 gelesen habe und daher habe ich nicht damit gerechnet, dass noch ein dritter erscheinen wird. Zuerst wusste ich gar nicht zu welcher Serie dieser gehört, da das Cover nirgendwo dazupasste. Doch der Name kam mir bekannt vor und durch Gespräche mit anderen kam ich dann drauf. Ich habe es als Hörbuch gehört und mir hat die Geschichte wirklich gut gefallen, bei einigen Szenen musste ich echt schlucken, denn die waren schon sehr heftig. Zum Schluss kam noch ein Schuss Krimi dazu, der die Spannung nochmal ein wenig in der Höhe trieb. Doch eigentlich gibt es ja noch eine vierte Freundin? Hätte die nicht auch noch eine Geschichte verdient? Ich lass mich mal überraschen und bis dahin heißt es warten.
4 Sterne
4 Sterne
November 12, 2020
Wieder ein geniales, herzzerreißendes, emotionales Buch von einer meiner Lieblingsautorinnen. Ich habe es so geliebt ❤
April 18, 2019
Samantha Young has been a favourite author of mine for a while now, having loved everything I’ve read of hers. Things We Never Said was no exception to this love affair. The two previous books in this series were romantic and enjoyable reads but I have to say I think this is my favourite in the series so far. Dahlia and Michael just made for such a beautiful couple and their story is both intense while at the same time believable.
Dahlia and Michael meet when they are young and carefree but due to unforeseen circumstances and devastating loss are never able to really start their relationship. Before they have a chance to delve into what they know will be a special, once in a lifetime love they are torn apart by mistakes and misplaced guilt. I think what I liked so much about this book was how relatable these two characters are. Its heartbreaking to see what they’re both feeling and struggling with and at the same time you can also get it. Having access to their inner dialogue we get to really feel their pain and turmoil. Dahlia especially is carrying such a heavy burden and you just want to reach into the story and hug her.
Michael is a gentle, good and strong man and while he makes mistakes throughout the course of their story you can really feel for him as he tries to be better, to do better, to fix his mistakes. Its clear he is so hard on himself and also has a strong inner compass of right and wrong.
The situation Dahlia is living with in her family is sadly too familiar in this day and age. I mean this, in regards to her relationship with her mother and the emotional abuse her mother subjected her to throughout her life. It’s a type of abuse that is sadly so common yet also not as often talked about or acknowledged. Maybe because its hard to identify or point to a specific thing and say “this is abuse” but that constant belittling and cruelty is just that. Abuse. Seeing how this ultimately affected Dahlia’s whole family was upsetting but also gave this story depth. As much as you couldn’t really like her mum she has lived through every mothers worst nightmare so there’s also just this innate sadness to her and her behaviour.
There was more humour throughout this story than I had expected, and this gave an often needed reprieve when things were otherwise so heavy. I also loved the little bits of information we learnt about Emery as I have had a soft spot for her from the beginning and am dying for her book. I enjoyed the banter and relationships in between Dahlia and her girlfriends and feel like they each brought a unique element to their circle of friends.
I knew I’d like this book because I like everything from Samantha Young, as previously stated but somehow it still exceeded my expectations, I truly loved it from start to finish.
Dahlia and Michael meet when they are young and carefree but due to unforeseen circumstances and devastating loss are never able to really start their relationship. Before they have a chance to delve into what they know will be a special, once in a lifetime love they are torn apart by mistakes and misplaced guilt. I think what I liked so much about this book was how relatable these two characters are. Its heartbreaking to see what they’re both feeling and struggling with and at the same time you can also get it. Having access to their inner dialogue we get to really feel their pain and turmoil. Dahlia especially is carrying such a heavy burden and you just want to reach into the story and hug her.
Michael is a gentle, good and strong man and while he makes mistakes throughout the course of their story you can really feel for him as he tries to be better, to do better, to fix his mistakes. Its clear he is so hard on himself and also has a strong inner compass of right and wrong.
The situation Dahlia is living with in her family is sadly too familiar in this day and age. I mean this, in regards to her relationship with her mother and the emotional abuse her mother subjected her to throughout her life. It’s a type of abuse that is sadly so common yet also not as often talked about or acknowledged. Maybe because its hard to identify or point to a specific thing and say “this is abuse” but that constant belittling and cruelty is just that. Abuse. Seeing how this ultimately affected Dahlia’s whole family was upsetting but also gave this story depth. As much as you couldn’t really like her mum she has lived through every mothers worst nightmare so there’s also just this innate sadness to her and her behaviour.
There was more humour throughout this story than I had expected, and this gave an often needed reprieve when things were otherwise so heavy. I also loved the little bits of information we learnt about Emery as I have had a soft spot for her from the beginning and am dying for her book. I enjoyed the banter and relationships in between Dahlia and her girlfriends and feel like they each brought a unique element to their circle of friends.
I knew I’d like this book because I like everything from Samantha Young, as previously stated but somehow it still exceeded my expectations, I truly loved it from start to finish.
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